Research & Studies

As part of our mission to protect people against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and trends, ACE often commissions independent, third-party research studies from major universities across the country. In some cases, those studies have prompted action by the Federal Trade Commission against several companies making false claims.

Despite Bikram yoga's wide range of potential benefits, the question of safety regarding the performance of exercise in hot, humid environments has lingered. In this exclusive ACE-sponsored study, researchers examined the effects of exercising in such extreme conditions.

Activity trackers are everywhere these days, but when it comes to tracking steps and calories, are they really accurate? A new ACE-sponsored research study examined five popular activity trackers to determine whether or not they are worth your time or your money.

Industry guidelines spell out how much the various types of training should be performed each week. But when it comes to creating your clients’ programs, is there an optimal order for performing cardio, resistance, flexibility and neuromotor exercise? This exclusive new ACE-sponsored study sheds light on how to best organize your workouts for maximum results.

When it comes to both functional strength and aesthetics, strong shoulder muscles are key. But what’s the best way to effectively strengthen and shape the entire shoulder muscle? To learn the answer, check out this exclusive ACE study, which evaluated 10 popular shoulder exercises to determine which ones are the most effective.

Some call them the vanity muscles—and for good reason. In gyms across the nation, the biceps are among the most coveted, sought after and overly trained muscles in the human body. But what’s the best to safely build strong and defined biceps? Exclusive ACE-sponsored research evaluates eight popular biceps exercises to determine which is the most effective.

Low-back pain is a leading cause of job-related disability and missed work in the United States. The pain is so unbearable that Americans spend more than $50 billion per year in an effort to make it go away. If you are experiencing work-related back pain, here are some back-protecting tips that may bring you relief.